Courses and Exams

Here at the IBL, you will embark on dynamic and flexible programs designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the constantly evolving global legal and business landscape relating to international business law, contracts and arbitration, compliance, and commodity trading.

We look forward to guiding you through an enriching personal, academic and social experience that not only brings you in touch with current legal and compliance trends but also prepares you for success whatever your chosen path.

Course Lectures

All course lectures can be attended live in person or online via Zoom – there is also flexibility to take a hybrid approach combining both. Most lectures are recorded and made available for additional study support via our online teaching platform. The lecture rooms are equipped with modern video and sound systems to facilitate effective and inclusive interaction between teaching staff and students, online and in-person. All courses are conducted in English. 

Courses generally take place within the Beauregard building of the Fribourg University Law Faculty. Some courses and other activities may take place in other locations from time to time e.g. at a partner law firm.

The LL.M. and CAS program schedule remains the same regardless of the program track or mode of study be it full-time or part-time, online or in person. Students choose their lectures from the curriculum and determine the pace of study according to their interests and needs. Each course is offered once a year, either in the spring or fall semester as outlined in the program structure. Courses can take place Monday to Saturday, with a typical day scheduled for an average of six hours. 

Moodle online teaching platform

Moodle is our online teaching platform and is the go-to place for all course-related information. Students are responsible for actively using Moodle in support of their studies – it contains:

• Semester Schedule
• Course registration page
• Course materials (available for download anywhere around the world)
• Assignments/exams and grades
• Calendar including times/dates of lectures, and links to Zoom recordings (where available)
• Messaging and forums
• Guidelines and relevant documents for thesis, internship and management projects

Students will receive information about how to access the platofrm before each semester start.

Examinations and grading

Exams are generally made available about two weeks after completion of each course. Most exams are self-paced and online in the form of take-home exams, essays, case studies or quizzes except where part of the ‘clinics’ - interactive workshops typically involving group work and presentations that are directly integrated into the lectures.

In Switzerland, grades rank from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest) - the passing grade is 4. In order to graduate, a student must have at least an average of 4 considering passing grades only. Please note that the gpa is calculated by taking the sum of numerical grades and dividing by the number of exams with a numerical grade.

Retakes are only granted for a failing grade; it is not permitted as an opportunity to improve the grade average. If a retake is failed, then the student still has one further retake opportunity. A fee of 300 CHF is charged for each retake exam.

Guest lectures may not be repeated and typically carry a 'Pass' grade with ECTS credit assigned based on attendance.

Unofficial transcripts are available upon request during your studies. The final official transcript of grades is delivered only upon graduation along with the LL.M. diploma or CAS certificate. If a student is unable to attend graduation in person, the final documents will be posted to the address provided at the time.